This report starts with a brief review of abdominal injuries treated by eight forward surgeons. The main facts are set out in tables. The treatment of abdominal and thoraco-abdominal wounds is discussed and lesions of various organs analysed in tables. The most common cause of death is multiplicity of intra-abdominal injuries. Forward surgery, including abdominal surgery, requires adequate facilities for resuscitation and post-operative treatment. Intra-abdominal manipulations should be reduced to an essential minimum. Forward surgery requires team-work involving. a large number of units and individuals.

Of 403 blood specimens of South African Bantus, only one showed the sickle-cell trait in a moist sealed preparation after 24 hours' incubation at 37ï¿½C. The sickleï¿½cell trait, which is very common in the West African and American negro, is rare in the South African Bantu.